Two wins in three days boost Clay Cross title hopes

A couple of 2-1 away victories inside three days gave Clay Cross Town's title hopes a boost in the Central Midlands League.
Josh Holland, of Clay Cross, tries to get past Dronfields Jon McLoughlin. (PHOTO BY: David Clark)Josh Holland, of Clay Cross, tries to get past Dronfields Jon McLoughlin. (PHOTO BY: David Clark)
Josh Holland, of Clay Cross, tries to get past Dronfields Jon McLoughlin. (PHOTO BY: David Clark)

Forty-eight hours after seeing off Newark Town, the Millers edged out local-derby rivals, Dronfield Town Reserves, to move up to fourth in the table, still 19 points behind leaders Harworth Colliery but with six games in hand.

The fixture congestion has been caused by the bad weather, which has left Clay Cross with many matches to squeeze into the closing weeks of the campaign.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The hard-earned victory last Thursday night was achieved with goals from Lee Clay in the 16th minute and substitute Josh Parfitt six minutes from the end.

Parfitt was also highly influential at Dronfield, starting in the opening minute when he was brought down in a reckless challenge for a penalty that Ant Lynam drove hard and low past ‘keeper Aurellian Masson.

Eleven minutes later, that man Parfitt doubled the lead when he chased a long ball and won a challenge with Masson before slotting into an empty net.

However, the scoreline flattered Clay Cross, who struggled to get to a grip on the game as Dronfield belied their bottom-three status and halved the deficit when Michael Hunter headed home from a corner.

The second half featured chances for both sides, with Clay Cross hanging on nervously at the death, including five minutes of added-on time, after hearing that Harworth had dropped two points.

Related topics: